The Association of Pre-Pregnancy Obesity and Breast Milk Fatty Acids Composition and the Relationship of Postpartum Maternal Diet, Breast Milk Fatty Acids and Infant Growth

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of prepregnancy obesity on fatty acid profile in breast milk, to determine the relationship between maternal diet and fatty acids in breast milk, and to investigate the relationship between fatty acids in breast milk and infant growth. Materials and Methods: Twenty normal-weight mothers, 20 obese mothers, and their infants were recruited. Breast milk samples were collected at 50-70 days postpartum. Breast milk fatty acid was analyzed with gas chromatography. Infant body weight, height, and head circumference were taken from medical records at birth and during study visits at 2 months. Dietary intake was assessed by trained dietitians using a 24-hour dietary recall method. Results: Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, p = 0.040), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, p = 0.019), and total n-3 fatty acid (p = 0.045) in total milk were found to be higher in normal-weight mothers compared with obese mothers. A positive association was found between C20:4 n-6 in foremilk and weight for age percentile (r = 0.381, p = 0.031; β = 29.966, p = 0.047). Conclusions: Prevention of prepregnancy obesity is important for future generations, as prepregnancy obesity has many adverse effects on the mother and infant and may affect the composition of breast milk.